Horseheads improved to 2-5 overall and finished with a 2-2 regular-season record within Section 4 Class AA. The Blue Raiders will play at the top seed in the semifinals in two weeks. Binghamton can earn that top spot with a win over Ithaca next week. A Binghamton loss gives the top seed to Elmira.

Ithaca fell to 0-7 overall and 0-3 in Class AA. The Little Red would have earned the fourth playoff spot with a win Saturday.

"We knew this was a big week," Horseheads coach Kevin Hillman said. "With this win, obviously we get ourselves a chance at the playoffs. We have an opportunity to play another week."

Raiders' offense sharp

After turning the ball over on downs and fumbling on its first two drives, Horseheads bounced back to score three touchdowns in the first quarter. Chalk ran in from 33 yards and 6 yards, then connected with Maurice Rankins for an 87-yard touchdown pass.

The running game produced 382 yards on 31 carries for Horseheads. Gavin Elston rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, scoring on runs of 37 and 7 yards. Bryan Smith added 97 yards on six rushes, and Rankins picked up 52 yards on five attempts.

Elston also caught four passes for 58 yards. Josh Tolpa added three catches for 42 yards, with a touchdown.

Ithaca goes down fighting

The Little Red scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to get within 42-20. Quentin Adams scored on a 12-yard run and Mason Boothe connected with Louis Webster for a 13-yard score.

Boothe finished 10 of 19 passing for 203 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

"I just think the kids did a nice job of being assignment-sound," Hillman said of his defense in the first half. "They were aggressive, flying to the ball. The second half, not so much. We had a lot of missed tackles."

Up next

Horseheads will play a road game against a to-be-determined Section 3 opponent next week. Hillman said he will find out the team's opponent Sunday.